Chapter Twenty: Leaving To The Lion

POV: Einan

Weeks passed after the shutting of the door. Twice a day the door opened to let in a tray of food. Occasionally Rhiamon would drop in and taunt me. My dress grew ragged, my hair disheveled. My eyes soon were more bloodshot than those of my tormentor; my face more care-worn. My heart and will were broken. My beloved Rheneas was dead; Da had likely joined him.

But somewhere in the back of my head, I saw a golden Lion, and He gave me hope. Then came a day when the door to my room burst open, and Rheneas flung himself inside and took me in his arms. He held my gaunt figure up gently. I ran my hand along his cheek, and our eyes met.

"Beloved."

Tears dropped into my mouth as our lips met. As they parted, a sudden energy seized me. I finally understood why I was here; why Aslan had allowed Rhiamon to kidnap me. None of it was about me. It was all about her!

"Rheneas, where is Da?"

"Searching for Rhiamon. Why?"

"We must save her!"

I bolted from the room and flew down the hall, my ragged skirts a whirlwind behind me.

POV: Martin

A Telmarine fell before me. I impaled another from the navel up to the throat, withdrew my blade, and decapitated a third. After all we'd been through, I was in no merciful mood.

"Cadfael, search the Cair for the Witch. If you find her, bring her to me."

The centaur paused momentarily.

"Are you sure?"

My lips pursed.

"The man who passes the sentence ought to swing the sword."

He ran a pair of hags through in one thrust.

"Sentence?"

"She tortured me. That I could bear. But when she laid a hand on my daughter, the gloves came off. Her life is forfeit, and I intend to take it."

The Battle-Prince nodded.

"As you wish."

He galloped down the hall with a troop of soldiers. Rheneas had already gone ahead to Einan's room, and I knew my daughter was in the best of hands.

"If I were a power-crazed megalomaniac, where would I hide?"

I smiled grimly as the answer came.

"The throne-room."

My boots thudded softly upon the stone floor. She stood upon the dais, wild-eyed, surveying the chaos below.

"Hello, Rhiamon."

She whirled 'round, fear in her eyes and heart. Star-night rang from its scabbard. She fell to the floor with her back against the High King's throne, her hand held out before her face.

"Martin, please."

"You plead for mercy? You?" I snarled.

"Please."

"No."

Star-night was drawn up by my head, poised for a thrust that would pin her to the floor if I could force the tip into the stonework. It was then that the doors burst open, banging against the walls like a judge's gavel.

"Da! No!"

"Do not test me Einan! Her life is forfeit!"

Rheneas came up behind her, panting for breath. He stood speechless, his gaze drifting from me to his sister who still huddled in a terrified puddle upon the floor.

"Da-"

I looked over my shoulder to face her.

"What?"

"Leave her to the Lion."

My heart stopped its beating. So this was what Aslan had meant. I turned back to Rhiamon, my sword still poised for the death-blow. I remembered my promise to the Lion, but I no longer cared. Such hatred burned in my heart that my word no longer mattered, even when given to the Lord of Lords. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the gold lettering upon the blade.

"Valiant."

With a terrible cry I flung Star-night across the hall. It collided against one of the granite pillars with a skittering crash and ricocheted to the other side of the room. I spoke through gritted teeth as I knelt beside Rhiamon and stared her straight in the eye.

"His choice, not mine. Now get you gone."

She rose to her feet and fled the room with an eagle's wings. I turned to my daughter, who had fainted at her fiance's feet. Rheneas tossed me the key to the Treasure Chamber as he kneeled and scooped Einan up in his arms.

I unlocked the door and made my way down the stone stairs, a torch flickering in my left hand. The room was dusty; cobwebs swung from the ceiling. It was clear that Rhiamon's perfidy had not extended to this secret place.

I stood before the chest containing Queen Lucy's things, gazing quietly at the sculpture which watched over it. I knelt before her.

"Once again I owe you my daughter's life. Thank you."

A small draft blew in from the doorway. I could almost hear her laughing gaily.

"Don't be silly, Martin! It is only right and good. What did Father Christmas give me my cordial for if not to save lives?"

I smiled a regretful smile and sighed as I lifted the lid. There lay the Cordial, safe and sound in spite of everything. I rounded the stairs again. As I locked the door behind me, I could swear I heard a faint roar.

POV: Einan

Warmth. A glorious warmth coursing through my veins, flowing swiftly down to my feet, only to rush upward, cleansing my face of all the wrinkles and scars that the strain and suffering of my captivity had carved there.

I breathed peacefully and sighed. Leisurely, indeed, lazily, I opened my eyes. Da, Laterose, and Rheneas sat or stood nearby. With them were Flash, and Cadfael, neither of whom looked much changed, save that Flash had a bandaged stump where his horn should have been.

With them also were three strangers: a dwarf, a Marshwiggle, and a tall, bearded man. What little conversation they had was whispered, and Da and the Dwarf were puffing restlessly upon their tobacco pipes.

"I say, what is this all about?"

In an instant Da had me in his arms. He plastered my face and forehead with kisses.

"Dearest Daughter! The Lion be praised!"

I smiled at him, and he returned it gratefully. Then he backed away. Rheneas came and sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand in his. Tears sprang to my eyes as our gazes met.

"Are you -truly- well?" he asked.

"I will be." I replied.

He smiled softly as he raised my hand to his lips. I felt a wonderful peace engulf me as sleep returned to my exhausted body.

At breakfast the next morning, Da introduced me to the Dwarf and the Wiggle, whose names were Noil and Ilar, respectively. I was also introduced to the Man, who proved to be none other than King Aren of Archenland.

We were a merry company that morning, though the work of cleansing and repairing the Cair had only just begun. After we had eaten our fill, I turned to Da.

"So tell me, how did all this happen? Rhiamon said Rheneas was dead."

Da chuckled.

"Well Dearest, that is a long story. I shall tell you my part, and then Rheneas shall tell you his. How does that sound?"

I grinned.

"Let the story-telling begin."

A/N: Once again, my deepest thanks and gratitude go out to Skiebyrrd. A better editor one could not wish for.

Latin finals the next two weeks, and ACT after that. Summer should allow me to post more often, and I hope to have this story finished before July.

Lion's Blessings,

-Jake